Chapter 1236: Dao Yi's Killing Formation
A tender sprout the size of a fingernail flowed with immortal radiance in Yan Qi's palm, making his fingers and palm gleam emerald green, overflowing with immortal energy.
Huo Qizi took it, his eyes shooting divine beams, confirming without doubt that this was indeed an unformed divine leaf bud that could save a life.
The kings were alarmed, all shaken. The matter of an Immortal Elixir was of great importance; in ancient times, only an Ancient Emperor could possess one, and it would accompany them throughout their lives.
Now, hearing that a withered ancient star had a Tree of Life, how could they not be tempted? This was a divine opportunity that could allow one to live a second life.
"Nine Phoenix King, we should set out first. If we delay even a step, Fire Qilin Cave will surely obtain it."
All races could not remain calm. For the sake of an Immortal Elixir, they would abandon everything. Once obtained, it would have a tremendous impact on an entire clan.
These past few days, they had besieged the Eternal Main Star but could not breach it. Rather than continue, it was better to seize another great fortune.
"Charge into that star domain and seize the Ancient Tree of Life!"
Some Ancestral Kings set out, banding together to form a powerful force. They knew that only by uniting could they compete with the Ancient Imperial Clans.
"Let us also set out. Judging from this tender sprout, there can be no mistake—there truly is an Immortal Elixir!" Huo Qizi said.
"I have heard that there is a Tree of Life in the universe, a type of Immortal Medicine. I never thought I would face it one day." Great Sage Yan Qi's eyes burned with fervor.
This was a once-in-a-millennium opportunity for Fire Qilin Cave. They held every advantage, with a Great Sage arriving and wielding the Qilin Staff—who could contend with them?
This was an omen that Fire Qilin Cave was about to stride toward glory!
"Set sail! Advance on the Fifth Divine Star!" Fire Qilin Cave also moved out. Under Yan Qi's command, some Ancestral Kings followed, charging into the cosmos.
Long trapped at the Eternal Main Star without being able to break it, turning to attack another location might yield greater fortune. Everyone understood how to choose.
With enough captives, each race had guides. They surged forward in a mighty tide, first rushing toward the Tanmu Star Domain, then leaping toward the Fifth Divine Star.
"The seed of my clan's Qilin Divine Medicine fell into the hands of the Human Sacred Body. We have been unable to find him and recover it. If we obtain the Tree of Life now, it will count as compensation."
Inside the cosmic mothership, everyone from Fire Qilin Cave was elated. The ancient saints of the races following them were also scheming, subtly expressing their wishes.
Great Sage Yan Qi said, "Rest assured, everyone. If you help me obtain the precious tree, I will surely pick fresh divine medicine buds and gift them to the strong ones present."
Receiving this affirmative reply, the saints were overjoyed.
Someone also warned, "Great Sage, be cautious. Nine Phoenix King and the others have also set out separately. Although they cannot compare to you, if they seize the initiative first, there may be unexpected developments."
"With the Qilin Divine Staff in hand, no one can defy heaven. You may all rest assured," another saint from Fire Qilin Cave said.
They moved at extreme speed, making multiple spatial jumps until they arrived at the Fifth Divine Star.
"Hmm, beware of those gods. From the memories of those captives, it is not hard to see that this force is very strong and should not be underestimated."
The cosmic mothership descended, landing on the Fifth Divine Star. The gray mist was shaken apart, bringing a trace of life to the dim heavens and earth.
A fierce battle was raging on the ground. Several experts from the Divine Organization were locked in combat with Ancestral Kings, holding the upper hand.
Some Ancestral Kings had arrived first, only to be wounded and blocked.
"No, I feel uneasy!" Huo Qizi stood on this withered land, a layer of gloom settling over his heart.
"What's wrong?" Great Sage Yan Qi frowned.
"Nothing, perhaps it's my imagination. My heart is unsettled. Let us be cautious," Huo Qizi said. Since they had already arrived, retreating now would be unreasonable.
"Great Sage Yan Qi has arrived!" The first wave of Ancestral Kings to arrive saw them and cried out for aid.
Yan Qi stepped forward. The oppressive pressure of a Great Sage spread like an ocean, sweeping outward, instantly sending several gods flying, drenched in blood.
Whether it was the major powers of the Eternal Main Star, the gods, or the Ancient Clan Ancestral Kings who had arrived first, all changed color. This overwhelming dominance said it all—they had no hope.
Yan Qi looked down upon the world, his Great Sage authority fully displayed. The entire ancient star trembled with each of his steps. Behind him followed over a dozen Ancestral Kings from different races.
This was an absolutely unmatched force that no one could contend with!
Deep in the mountain range, it was deathly silent. The Tree of Life shimmered with flowing colors, like a coiled flood dragon lying dormant, radiating billions of rays of light.
No one dared to resist. A Great Sage had arrived in person, exuding invincible dominance. Everyone lowered their heads, not daring to meet his gaze.
"Ha ha..." Yan Qi laughed, the sound causing sharp pain in people's ears. Some weaker experts directly exploded, turning into blood mist.
Such was the might of a Great Sage. Even saints felt a chill from head to toe. Yan Qi stared intently at the Ancient Tree of Life, his eyes like two small suns, while a thread of killing intent seeped out.
Just as everyone was trembling in fear and unease, a cold voice rang out from the sky: "You are far too overbearing!"
Someone from the Divine Organization had arrived. A strange man wearing a mask stepped out of an ancient ship, looking down at Yan Qi. His gaze was equally terrifying and boundless, crushing the mountain peaks below.
"Scram!"
Yan Qi's gaze was cold, exuding immense dominance. Even though he had long known that the gods were formidable, he did not care at this moment. His right hand gripped the blue-glowing Qilin Staff and struck toward the sky.
"You..."
The Great Sage of the Divine Organization was shocked. He tore through the void to evade the Imperial Might of the Extreme Dao. Although he reacted swiftly, he was still caught in the aftermath.
The Qilin Staff shattered heaven and earth. The residual waves rolled for ten thousand li, crushing the lower half of that man's body into pulp, inflicting severe injuries.
The god dared not linger any longer. He turned and fled into the depths of the cosmos, vanishing from sight!
This was a show of force, using a Great Sage as an example. Everyone was terrified. Who would dare contend with him now? All retreated.
Outside the star, Ye Fan and the old mercenary Huo Bai witnessed this scene, their pupils contracting. The divine might of the Imperial Dao was unstoppable!
"Alas, my premonition has come true. This place may run with rivers of blood. Even the gods have been driven back. If their main god arrives, there will likely be a great slaughter!" Huo Bai said.
He was an extraordinary man, a legend in the mercenary world. Otherwise, he would not have survived this long. Possessing a certain instinct, like Ye Fan, he had retreated beyond the heavens, abandoning the struggle for the Tree of Life.
"Unable to breach the Eternal Main Star, yet obtaining an Immortal Medicine—how unpredictable the world is. Truly a heavenly fortune." Great Sage Yan Qi muttered to himself, then swept his cold gaze over the people of the Eternal Main Star, his killing intent fully exposed.
Everyone lowered their heads. Yet one person met his gaze with a fearless smile, radiant and bright.
"Who are you?" Yan Qi asked.
"The one who will kill you!" Dao Yi spoke, his expression calm, his steps unhurried, utterly composed.
Everyone was startled, revealing looks of disbelief. Who was this, daring to speak to a Great Sage like this?
The saints showed strange expressions. Some Ancient Clan members smiled cruelly. This seemingly sunny young man was simply courting death.
Yan Qi laughed heartily and shook his head. Even the Great Sage of the Eternal Main Star, clad in the Dao Yan Immortal Robe, had been defeated by him. In this universe, who could still be his opponent?
No matter what, the Tree of Life was already in his grasp. Even the gods could not stop him, let alone a mere brat.
"I too was once young and reckless, but never as rash as you. This is no longer youthful vigor—it is stupidity. Are you seeking death?" Great Sage Yan Qi said.
In his hand, the Qilin Divine Staff shimmered with crystalline blue light, dreamlike and illusory. Here, he was the master—no one could defy him!
"Ridiculous. Challenging a Great Sage—truly overestimating yourself. In your next life, learn to know fear," some Ancient Clan members sneered, heaping on sarcasm.
"Is that so? When you set off on your journey later, remember the words you just said." Dao Yi smiled, his teeth white and brilliant, his golden hair flowing, smooth and soft.
The shadow in Huo Qizi's heart grew heavier. This was an instinctive intuition. He stepped forward, grabbed Yan Qi, and shouted in a low voice: "Go!"
Yan Qi's heart shook. He knew that this Ancient Imperial Prince of his clan possessed exceptionally keen primal instincts. He immediately swung the divine staff, striking forward to slay Dao Yi while simultaneously tearing open the heavens to flee.
Dao Yi flashed and vanished, reappearing beside the Tree of Life.
At the original spot, terrifying light surged. A thick golden wall rose up, blocking the strike of the Imperial Weapon with a clanging sound.
"How did he step into the Great Sage's formation in one stride?" Many were horrified.
"What is going on? A golden wall rose up and actually blocked an Extreme Imperial Weapon!"
Many cried out, sensing that something terrible was about to happen. At the same moment, the entire ancient star began to shake. Heaven and earth were sealed—star gates could not be opened, and the void could not be torn.
"I have been waiting for you for many days." Dao Yi smiled, his expression peaceful, easily inspiring goodwill.
Everyone was stunned, especially the Ancient Clan members, whose hearts trembled. They all rushed to try to leave this star first.
Great Sage Yan Qi's expression turned ice-cold. He raised the Imperial Weapon again and struck forward, but the golden divine wall stood firm, unbreakable.
Everyone sensed that something terrible was about to happen. The Ancient Clan saints gathered together, their hearts growing cold. They had fallen into someone else's trap.
"Do you think you can deal with me, wielding the Qilin Divine Staff?"
Dao Yi laughed heartily at this. He placed his hand on the Tree of Life. The divine glow dimmed, and finally, it transformed into a branch about the length of an arm—not a complete ancient tree—falling into his palm.
Everyone's eyes widened, staring at this scene in disbelief.
At the same time, light flashed. On his wrist appeared another tender green shoot, coiled there, crystalline and translucent, overflowing with essence.
The crowd was startled. This was the tender branch from the altar, missing a single immortal bud, the break still fresh.
Dao Yi smiled and said, "Using a divine skin ancient scroll, along with a tender bud from the Tree of Life, to invite you all here—the cost was not too high."
Yan Qi was furious. In his palm, he clutched that immortal bud, which flowed with brilliant radiance. He wished he could crush it to pieces.
"Be careful not to destroy it. That immortal bud might just save your life in the end," Dao Yi said with a smile.
"Do you think you can kill me? The Imperial Weapon sweeps across the world—who can stop it!" Great Sage Yan Qi's heart was growing cold.
"An Imperial Weapon naturally requires an Imperial Formation to counter!"
As Dao Yi finished speaking, boundless divine light surged. Centered on this mountain range, infinite immortal radiance rose, sealing the entire ancient star.
This planet was very small. A curtain of light swept out, isolating it from the cosmos.
"Just who are you, to actually master an Ancient Emperor's formation?" Yan Qi asked coldly.
"I do not possess an Ancient Emperor's formation. I only know that remnants of a partial formation remain here, and I have studied it deeply. Thus, I made use of it, waiting for you to come knocking," Dao Yi said.
A chill rose in everyone's hearts. The so-called divine skin scroll and the Tree of Life—all of it was bait. This was a killing formation!
"Do you think a broken, remnant killing formation can keep me here? Today, I will first kill you, this junior!" Great Sage Yan Qi raised the Qilin Staff, its immortal light blotting out the sun.
"Is that so? Then why do you dare not act rashly?" Dao Yi was calm and composed.
"I have also arrived. A broken Ancient Emperor's killing formation may be insufficient, but with me here, it will be enough!" A flash of golden light from Dao Jie—the Great Sage of the Eternal Main Star had arrived.
"A defeated general, yet you dare to show off your bravery!" Yan Qi said coldly.
"Do you really think I was defeated? Everything was done just to seize the Imperial Weapon in your hand today!" The Dao Yan Divine Robe gleamed brilliantly. A figure descended from the sky, landing before Dao Yi, further shielding him.
"Slay all who have come to invade! Resolve the crisis of the Eternal Star!" Dao Yi said solemnly.